Cap with cap replacement section

ABSTRACT

A cap including a plurality of pie-shaped sections forming a cover; a rim connecting a first end of each of the plurality of pie-shaped sections; at least one of the plurality of pie-shaped sections being a cap replacement section, wherein the cap replacement section has a first attaching part along a first section side, a second attaching part along a second section side, and a third attaching part along a section end; a first matching attaching part on a first pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section; a second matching attaching part on a second pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section and opposite the first pie-shaped section; and a third matching attaching part on the rim between the first pie-shaped section and the second pie-shaped section.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates generally to caps, and more particularly, to a cap with a cap replacement section.

2. Background Art

FIG. 1 shows a known cap 100. Known cap 100 may have a plurality of pie-shaped sections 102 and a visor 104. The plurality of pie-shaped sections 102 may join at a point (not shown) and a button 106 may be placed at the point.

The known cap 100 may be used for many purposes including fashion, head protection, and identification. Regardless of the use, a logo, a design, a word(s), a color(s), or any other adornment may be affixed on one or more pie-shaped sections of the cap. Once affixed, the logo, design, word, color, or any other adornment is always part of the cap.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure provides a cap comprising: a plurality of pie-shaped sections forming a cover; a rim connecting a first end of each of the plurality of pie-shaped sections; at least one of the plurality of pie-shaped sections being a cap replacement section, wherein the cap replacement section has a first attaching part along a first section side, a second attaching part along a second section side, and a third attaching part along a section end; a first matching attaching part on a first pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section; a second matching attaching part on a second pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section and opposite the first pie-shaped section; and a third matching attaching part on the rim between the first pie-shaped section and the second pie-shaped section.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a method comprising: inserting a cap replacement section into each of at least one pie-shaped opening in a cap, the cap including a cover having a plurality of pie-shaped sections.

A third aspect of the disclosure provides a cap replacement section comprising: a first material shaped in the form of one of a plurality of pie-shaped sections of a cap; and a first attaching part on a first side of the first material, a second attaching part on a second side of the first material, and a third attaching part on a bottom side of the first material.

The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a known cap.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a cap and cap replacement section in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of embodiments of a cap replacement section in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a partial inner view of one embodiment of a cap in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 5-7 show perspective views of embodiments of a cap in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show bottom views of embodiments of a cap in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cap and a cap replacement section in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D show perspective views of embodiments of an attachable button and a matching attachable button in accordance with the invention.

It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a cap 200 in accordance with the invention. Cap 200 may have a plurality of pie-shaped sections 202. Each pie-shaped section 202 may have a first side 204, a second side 206, and an end 208. Each pie-shaped section 202 may have a point 210 opposite the end 208. The plurality of pie-shaped sections 202 may be arranged circularly forming a cover 212 of the cap 200. The plurality of pie-shaped sections 202 may meet at each point 210 of each pie-shaped section 202. Each end 208 of the plurality of pie-shaped sections 202 may be connected to a rim 214. Rim 214 encircles the cap 200. At least one pie-shaped opening 216 may be provided between two of the plurality of pie-shaped sections 202. A cap replacement section 218 may be at least one of the plurality of pie-shaped sections 202 and may be replaceable.

FIG. 3A and 3B show perspective views of cap replacement section 218. FIG. 3A shows outer view of cap replacement section 218. FIG. 3B shows inner view of cap replacement section 218. The cap replacement section 218 has a first attaching part 221, a second attaching part 223, and a third attaching part 225 on an inner surface 222 of the cap replacement section 218 and along a first section side 205, second section side 207, and section end 209 of cap replacement section 218. A first matching attaching part 224 may be provided along the second side 206 of a first pie-shaped section 226 adjacent to the at least one pie-shaped opening 216. A second matching attaching part 228 may be provided along the first side 204 of a second pie-shaped section 230 adjacent to the at least one pie-shaped opening 216 and opposite to the first pie-shaped section 226. A third matching attaching part 232 may be provided along the rim 214 and between the first pie-shaped section 226 and the second pie-section 230. A visor 234 may be attached to the rim 214 (FIG. 2).

The first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) may be a strip of hook and loop type fasteners such as Velcro®. (Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro USA, Inc.) A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that the hook portion may be on either first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) or first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) with the loop portion being on the opposing of either first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) or first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4). The first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) may be a magnetic strip. The first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) may be any now known or to be developed product for attachment such that the first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 220 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) both hold together when attached to each other and are repeatedly separable without significant loss to their attaching capabilities.

FIG. 4 shows a partial inner view of one embodiment of the cap 200 in accordance with the invention. The pie-shaped opening 216 is shown. The first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 may be attached to the inner side of the first pie-shaped section 226, the second pie shaped section 230, and the rim 214 respectively. The first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 may extend into the at least one pie-shaped opening 216. The first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 may be oriented outwardly from cap 200 (FIG. 2) in order to attachably receive the first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) of the cap replacement section 218 (FIG. 2, 3A, 3B).

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a cap 300 in accordance with the invention. A plurality of material strips 338 may be included between the first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 and the inner side of the first pie-shaped section 226, the second pie-shaped section 230, and the rim 214. In this embodiment, each material strip 338 may be connected to the inner side of the first pie-shaped section 226, the second pie-shaped section 230, and the rim 214, and first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 may be connected to one of each material strip 338. Each material strip 338 may include foam, cloth, leather, or any other now known or to be developed suitable material. Each material strip 338 provides additional depth between first, second, and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 and the first pie-shaped section 226, the second pie shaped section 230, and the rim 214 respectively.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the cap 400 in accordance with the invention. Cap replacement section 218 may be inserted (FIG. 2) into the pie-shaped opening 216 such that outer surface 440 of cap replacement section 218 is substantially flush with outer surface 442 of the cap 400. First, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4) substantially align and attachably connect with one another such that cap replacement section 218 may stay in place unless forced to separate the first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4).

Cap replacement section 218 may be removed by applying a sufficient force on cap replacement section 218 required to separate first, second, and third attaching parts 221, 223, 225 (FIG. 3B) and first, second and third matching attaching parts 224, 228, 232 (FIG. 4). Any number of cap replacement sections 218 may be provided. Each cap replacement section 218 may have one or more logos, designs, words, colors, or any other adornments.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a cap 500 in accordance with the invention. FIG. 8A and 8B shows a bottom view of embodiments of the cap 500 in accordance with the invention. A liner 544 may be provided inside the cap 500 that substantially covers the pie-shaped opening 216 (FIG. 2, 4, 7). As shown in FIG. 8A the liner 544 may partially line the inner surface 545 of the cap 500 or, as shown in FIG. 8B, the liner 544 may completely line the inner surface 545 (FIG. 8A) of the cap 500. FIG. 8A shows partially lining approximately half of the inner surface 545 of the cap 500. Cap 500 with liner 544 may be used to store items between liner 544 and cap replacement section 218 (FIG. 2), for example, keys, cash, cards, or any other small item a person might carry. A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that partial lining could cover a varied amount of the inner surface 545 of the cap 500.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of cap 600 and cap replacement section 618. Cap replacement section 618 may have an attachable button 646. Attachable button 646 may be placed where the first section side 605 and the second section side 607 meet. Cap 600 may have a matching attachable button 648. Matching attachable button 648 may be placed at the point 610 where the plurality of pie-shaped sections 602 meet. Attachable button 646 and matching attachable button 648 may connect to secure cap replacement section 618 to the cap 600. FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D show perspective views of embodiments of the attachable button and matching attachable button. FIG. 10A shows attachable button 646 may be a receiving part of a snap and matching attachable button 648 may be an inserting part of the snap. FIG. 10B shows attachable button 650 may be the inserting part of the snap and matching attachable button 652 may be the receiving part of the snap. FIG. 10C shows attachable button 654 and matching attachable button 656 may be magnetic. FIG. 10D shows attachable button 658 and matching attachable button 660 may be hook and loop fastener. A person skilled in the art will readily recognize other attaching devices or materials for securing cap replacement section 618 to cap 600.

The cap 200, 400, 500, 600 may be made from any now known or to be developed materials suitable for caps 200, 400, 500, 600 including natural and synthetic materials. The cap replacement section 218, 618 and the parts of the cap 200, 400, 500, 600 including the visor 234, the plurality of pie-shaped sections 202, the rim 214, and the liner 544, may be made from any now known or to be developed materials suitable for these parts including natural and synthetic materials. It will be readily recognized that the cap replacement section 218, 318 and the parts of the cap 200, 400, 500, 600 do not have to be made from the same material.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap comprising: a plurality of pie-shaped sections forming a cover; a rim connecting a first end of each of the plurality of pie-shaped sections; at least one of the plurality of pie-shaped sections being a cap replacement section, wherein the cap replacement section has a first attaching part along a first section side, a second attaching part along a second section side, and a third attaching part along a section end; a first matching attaching part on a first pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section; a second matching attaching part on a second pie-shaped section adjacent to the cap replacement section and opposite the first pie-shaped section; and a third matching attaching part on the rim between the first pie-shaped section and the second pie-shaped section.
 2. The cap of claim 1, further comprising: an attachable button on the cap replacement section; and a matching attachable button on the cap for connecting to the attachable button and securing cap replacement section to the cap.
 3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third attaching parts and first, second, and third matching attaching parts are one of hook and loop fasteners or magnets.
 4. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first and second matching attaching parts are attached to an inner side of each pie-shaped section and the third matching attaching part is attached to an inner side of the rim.
 5. The cap of claim 4, wherein the cap replacement section is flush with the other plurality of pie-shaped sections when the first, second, and third attaching parts and the first, second, and third matching attaching parts are brought together.
 6. The cap of claim 1, further comprising: an inner liner under the plurality of pie-shaped sections.
 7. The cap of claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of material strips, each strip between the inner side of the each pie-shaped section and the first and second matching attaching parts and the inner side of the rim and the third matching attaching part.
 8. A method comprising: inserting a cap replacement section into each of at least one pie-shaped opening in a cap, the cap including a cover having a plurality of pie-shaped sections.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cap replacement section is pie-shaped.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein each inner side of the cap replacement section has an attaching part.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one pie-shaped opening is bordered on a first side and a second side by one of the plurality of pie-shaped sections and an end by a rim of the cap.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bordering pie-shaped sections and the rim have matching attaching parts that match the cap replacement section attaching parts.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cap replacement section is flush with the plurality of pie-shaped sections when the attaching parts and the matching attaching parts are brought together.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the cap replacement section has an attachable button and the cap has a matching attachable button.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: securing the cap replacement section to the cap by connecting the attachable button and the matching attachable button.
 16. A cap replacement section comprising: a first material shaped in the form of one of a plurality of pie-shaped sections of a cap; and a first attaching part on a first side of the first material, a second attaching part on a second side of the first material, and a third attaching part on a bottom side of the first material.
 17. The cap replacement section of claim 16, wherein the first material matches a second material of the plurality of pie-shaped sections.
 18. The cap replacement section of claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third attaching parts are one of hook and loop fasteners or magnets.
 19. The cap replacement section of claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third attaching parts are under an inner surface of the first material.
 20. The cap replacement section of claim 16, further comprising: an attachable button for securing the cap replacement section to the cap. 